Comments on: The politics of free trade vs. protectionism http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-politics-of-free-trade-vs-protection/ for students and teachers of AP and IB Economics Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:25:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: kevinma http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-politics-of-free-trade-vs-protection/#comment-5016 kevinma Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:02:18 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-politics-of-free-trade-vs-protection-2/#comment-5016 They want free trade with Columbia because they can get cheap imports from them. However, it is more of a "moral dilemma" because of the "touchy" labor problems. I think they shouldn't have opposed it because if that was to pass it would have helped both U.S. and Columbia. America should not dictate labor standards. They want free trade with Columbia because they can get cheap imports from them. However, it is more of a “moral dilemma” because of the “touchy” labor problems.

I think they shouldn’t have opposed it because if that was to pass it would have helped both U.S. and Columbia.

America should not dictate labor standards.

]]> By: kxc.024 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-politics-of-free-trade-vs-protection/#comment-4951 kxc.024 Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:08:59 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-politics-of-free-trade-vs-protection-2/#comment-4951 The White House is so adamant about pushing through the trade deal with Columbia because it would be another country where they can obtain cheap imports from. However, many have argued over whether or not engaging in free trade with Columbia is the right thing to do, due to their unsatisfactory labor conditions. I personally think that while labor conditions are extremely important, it is not always a realistic goal. When a lesser developed country is trying to stimulate its economy, it seems inevitable that cheap labor becomes part of the deal. Even developed countries (like the UK, USA, France) all had a period in history where the conditions for workers were not up to standard. Therefore, if the USA really wants to help the Columbians, they should probably engage in free trade with them and help boost up their economy, and thus their standard of living. The White House is so adamant about pushing through the trade deal with Columbia because it would be another country where they can obtain cheap imports from. However, many have argued over whether or not engaging in free trade with Columbia is the right thing to do, due to their unsatisfactory labor conditions.

I personally think that while labor conditions are extremely important, it is not always a realistic goal. When a lesser developed country is trying to stimulate its economy, it seems inevitable that cheap labor becomes part of the deal. Even developed countries (like the UK, USA, France) all had a period in history where the conditions for workers were not up to standard. Therefore, if the USA really wants to help the Columbians, they should probably engage in free trade with them and help boost up their economy, and thus their standard of living.

]]> By: James Tsao http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-politics-of-free-trade-vs-protection/#comment-4867 James Tsao Sat, 19 Apr 2008 03:56:51 +0000 http://welkerswikinomics.com/blog/2008/04/15/the-politics-of-free-trade-vs-protection-2/#comment-4867 A primary reason the U.S has a bad diplomatic relationship with the region around Columbia is the anti-labor actions that the governments of those countries endorses. Therefore, the Democrats are so opposed to the trade agreement because it gives a sense that the U.S is yielding to the Columbian government's anti-labor actions. In other words, it might seem like the U.S is giving up its morals for money. A primary reason the U.S has a bad diplomatic relationship with the region around Columbia is the anti-labor actions that the governments of those countries endorses. Therefore, the Democrats are so opposed to the trade agreement because it gives a sense that the U.S is yielding to the Columbian government’s anti-labor actions. In other words, it might seem like the U.S is giving up its morals for money.

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